Consider these resources when building your graphic novel collection.
Genre Guides:
Graphic novels: Everything you need to know by Paul Gravett : This text features copious illustrations and excerpts from canonical graphic novels.
Graphic novels: A genre guide to comic books, manga, and more (Genreflecting Advisory Series) By Michael Pawuk : A comprehensive text that outlines 2,400 titles and organizes them into genre and sub-genre as well as themes.
Graphic novels now: Building, managing, and marketing a dynamic collection by Francisca Goldsmith : The author answers many questions that range from processing challenges to writing graphic novel collection development policies.
The librarian’s guide to graphic novels for children and tweens by David S. Serchay : Serchay narrows his focus to developing a collection of graphic novels suitable for children and young adults in this book.
Criticism:
ALA, Dealing with Challenges to Graphic Novels : Look to this ALA guide when dealing with graphic novel challenges or criticism from patrons.
Directories:
The directory of comic book and graphic novel publishers, second edition by Tinsel Road Staff : This book features over 1000 publishers and includes contact information for publishing executives.
ALA Graphic Novel Selected Resources : This wiki outlines many aspects of graphic novels in libraries, such as collection development, cataloging graphic novels, vendors, and book clubs.
Literacy:
American Association of School Librarians : This article from AASL focuses on teaching visual literacy through graphic novels and features a helpful bibliography.
Building literacy connections with graphic novels, edited by James Bucky Carter : A collection of ten essays, this book explores the ways in which graphic novels can increase student literacy.
Awards:
The Eisner Awards : Known as the “Oscars” of comics, these awards are given out every year at Comic-Con International.
The Harvey : The Harvey Awards are handed out yearly at Baltimore Comic Con and recognize artists and achievements in over 20 categories.
Reference/Best-of lists:
Best of 2011 : The Graphic Novel Reporter site has “best of” lists from 2009 on.
YALSA’s Great Graphic Novels of 2012 : This list from the Young Adult Library Services Association highlights excellent graphic novels for teens and tweens from 2012.
